Rammer



S. SCHIF' F Sept 19,1950

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1945 SIGMUND SICHIFF Sept. 19, 1-950 s. SCHIFF 3 She ets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1945 ISIGMUND SCI-IIFF s. SCHIFF 2,522,543 2 Sept; 19, .1950

Filed May 18, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 SIGMUND SCl-HFF- we ammvt KJLMM Patented Sept. 19, 1 950 UNITED STAT S PATENT "o 2,522,543 RAMMER Sigmund "Schiif, Cincinna Ohio Application May 1c,1945,serialilo.594,465" 23C1aims; (or. 89-45) (Granted under theiact OfZMamh 3, 1 33.159

amended April 3!); 1 v

The invention described herein may be manu-.- factured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, withoutthe payment to, me of any royalty thereon. i

This; invention relates, to arecoil-operated rammer for artillery Weapons and more partic ularly to a rammer for weapons of; the type in which rounds of ammunition are fed axially into the: breech or chamben I In artillery weapons, particularly those of heavy caliber, it is often difiicult to provide-a satisiactory recoil-operated rammer, because of certain recoil characteristics; for example, ityhas been found that the total length of recoil is often too short for the accomplishment of successful loading or ramming operations. The recoiling parts often travel through recoil .and counterrecoil-at such great velocity that it, is extremely difiicult to apply themovement and speed toachieve the functions. necessary to the .ram-

substantially greater than the travel of; the; re-

coiling parts so that a round of ammunition may be quickly and easily engaged by the ramrner and fed into the chamber,

Another important object of the invention is to. provide a com-pact structure eificiently related to the weapon and its mount so as not tointerfere with the utility of the Weapon in the-various ppl ati n o hich i ay be adert diaafor example, mounting of the weaponinwehiclles. 01f

aircraft. 7 v v Still another object of the inventionis to: provide yieldable or energy-storingmeans' that are loaded by recoiling actionof the weapon and that may be released. to load a round after counter-- recoil isncompleted or atany inter-mediate stage before counterreooil is completed. The invention has for another object thefprovision of a rammer having a rammer, head -a 'dapted to engage'a round,"th'e rammer headboing arranged and constructed "in such a manner that upon recoil of the weapon the'rammer head is disposed out of the path of the extracted and ejected cartridge case and upon completion of recoil and after the chamber has been clearedof 1928; 370 Q. (15.47), I I

the empty-cartridgeoase, the rammer' head moses, to round-engaging position. i

A still further; object of, theinvention is; to

provide a novel cam means for moving the ram- 5 mer generally.v in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil; and also {in opposite directions transverse to}or across lthe.directions oi recoil andcounterrecoil. 1 otheri'ohjectofthednvention is.-to provide means inthe form .ofafdifierential pulley serving to, transfer. the moylementhof. the. weapon in, re? coil tofthe rammer in such a} manner that the rammer travels a greateri distance, than there- Qb li gvp 0 thfweaponi I p Bri fly v hese and. other im qr ani objects are achievedfin one; preferred; forrn of the. invention by the'prorision-oi ez-ramm'e b is n a pai of tub ilar lnembfllf filesebpically arranged and relatively reoiprocableiin thesdirections of recoil and... couii-teriieeoil. One. of the. members is s n ,nected to the breech ring. of the weapon so that eem ng c on Mat ie-eunmov s e ber the ,1 'tionoI recoil Distance-multiplying anslslpro ide betw n he-two members so thi hthe, travel of the, member connected; tot-he breehri 'ig; au es ea ero c a t vel of the other member, which increased travel ena l s -other memberabe o iti ee e s fici jtl yjrearwardly of. the breech to engage a aroun of ammu it on. c n mean ar the membersso thatthememirotative .or rocking movement during fore? and, aft. travel.- 3 This I movement serves to dispose the rammer'headiotav retracted position out if-the. path of anejected cartridge .casg"'afterj' the'. weapon recoils and to dispose the rammer head in position to engagea roundn-aiter the. weapon returflsfto battery' and; is ready for one a ain; I I 'e'r r'id oompletefunderstanding Oilhe 'onmay be had/from thefollowingdetailed V a ee iie at o he recoihoperfisasd el of the-structure sh H View the weaponia nd 1 enl geqsealeass e imm ebreeeh 3 the rammer mechanism support, the view being taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-4 of Fig. 4; v V m Fig. 7 is an enlarg ed cross sectional view of the muzzleward portions of the rammer members illustrating the mounting of and relationship be tween these members;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the breech portion of the gun with the rammer members shown in roundengaging position.

As previously stated, the invention is concerned particularly with the provision of rammei' means for artillery weapons of heavy caliber; however, it is contemplated that the invention may be used in connection with so-called light artillery and even in connection with artillery of caliber heavier than that chosen-for the purposes of illustration. It will be understood therefore that the present disclosure of a particular embodiment of the invention is illustrative and not limiting.

The weapon shown in the drawings is of the recoil-operated type and includes a cradle Ill which carries a tube-and-breech rin assembly H, the tube being indicated at l2, the breech ring at 3, and the breechlock at M. The cradle carries upper and lower recoil and recuperator cylinders l which are connnected in the usual manner to the tube-and-breech assembly H. A gun mount, indicated generally in broken'lines at 16, supports the weapon through the medium with the functions of the rammer will be described in connection with the description of the operation of the rammer.

As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the cradle l0 includes auxiliary supporting structure I9 extending breechwardly of the weapon and serving in the usual manner to support and guide the weapon during its recoil and counterrecoil action. This supportin structure includes a transverse, outwardly extending ledge 22 on which is rigidly carried a support indicated generally at 2|. This support is preferably in the form of a housing provided at opposite end walls with bearings or bushings 22 (Figs. 4 and 6). These bearings serve to carry one member of the rammer means forming the subject of this invention. This member is indicated at 23 as comprising a tubular shaft arranged parallel'to the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly and carried by the bearings 22 for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil, or breechwardly and muzzlewardly; As will be apparent from an examination of Figs l and 2, the tubular member 23 extends'at its opposite ends beyond the end walls of the housing or support 2| and is provided at its breechward end with a collar 24 havin a laterally, outwardly extending lug 25. The collar 22 also includes a buffer rin 26 for a purpose to be presently described. The tubular shaft 23 is provided adjacent its muzzleward end with a collar or stop 21 having a laterally outwardly extending lug 28. Yieldable means, preferably in the form of a compression spring 29, is interposed between the stop or abutment 21 and the front face of the support or housing 2|. This spring is coiled around the tubular shaft 23 and its normal tendency is to urge the shaft in'the direction of counterrecoil.

A second part of the rammer means takes the form of a second tubular shaft 30 telescoped within the shaft 23 and reciprocable fore and aft with respect to the shaft 23 and with respect to the support 2!. The shaft 30 extends breechwardly beyond the rear or breechward end of the shaft 23 and is there provided with a rammer head 3| having a laterally inwardly extendin rammer arm 32 and a laterally oppositely extending lug 33. As will presently appear, the rammer head and arm provide means for engaging a round of ammunition and for feeding the ammunition into the chamber of the tube l2. The muzzleward end of the shaft 3|] is provided with a stop or collar 34 having a laterally, outwardly extending lug 35.

As best shown in Figs, 1, '7, and 8, the front or muzzleward portion ofthe external tubular shaft 23 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slots 36. It will be understood that the extent of the shafts 23 and 30 is considerably longer than illustrated in the drawings, these shafts having been illustrated as having portions thereof broken out. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal slots 36 are likewise considerablylonger than illustrated. The front end of the internal tubular member 30 terminates somewhat short of the front end of the external shaft 23 and carries therein means for connecting the two shafts or members for rotationor rockin together about their common axis: This means takes the form of 'a guide member 31 having a central cylindrical portion 38 pinned or otherwise secured to the internal tubularshaft 30 and a pair of diametrically opposed ears or lugs 39 engageable respectively with the diametrically opposed slots 36.

From the description thus far it'will be seen that the tubular members 23 and 30 are carried for relative reciprocation in the bearings 22 of the support 2| and are also carried by these bearings for rocking or rotational movement. The relationship between the guide member 31 and the slots 36is such as to permit the members to have relative axial movement while connecting the members for joint rocking movement. The-front end of the tubular member 23 is closed by a buffer element 49 pinned or otherwise secured therein. The buffer i preferably composed of some resilient material such as rubber or the like that provides a yieldable limit on the relative movement of the shafts breechwardly during operation of the rammer means. Yieldable means in the form of a coil sprin 4| encircles the outer tubular shaft 23 and is interposed and compressible between theabutments or collars 21 and 33 on the tubular shafts 23 and 30 respectively. The collar 34 is pinned or otherwise secured to the guide element 31. The tendency of the spring M is to act through the collar 34 and the guide element 37 to urge the tubular member 30 muzzlewardly, or in the direction of counterrecoil. v

The support 2| is provided at its lower portion with a transversely disposed bearing 42 in which is journaled a short shaft 43 having at its outer end a distance multiplying means" preferably in the form of a difierential :pulley 44'. This pulley comprises a first pulley segment 45 and an integral or otherwise jointly rotatable secdndpulley segment 46. The efiective radiusof the pulley segment 46 is substantially greater than that of the pulley segment 45. In the present instance the conditions are such that the radius of the pulley segment 46 is approximately twice that of the pulley segment 45. A flexible connection in. the form of a cable 41 has its-one end connected to the lug 25 on the collar-.24 of the external tubular shaft 23 and has its intermediate portion trained about the pulley segment 45 with its-'opposite end portion connected to the 111g 28 on the collar 2! at the portionof-the shaft 23 to the muzzleward side of the support 2!. A connecting plate member 48' is secured to the differential pulley 44 and serves to fix' the intermediate portion of the cable 41 to the pulley segment 4'5. V

Asecond cable 49is connected at its muzzle- Ward end to the lug 35 on the collar 34 and has its-intermediate portion trained about the larger pulley segment 46 with its other end connected to the lug 33 on the rammer head 3l-. The connecting plate 48 serves also to fix the cable 49 to the pulley segment 46. fIhe front part of the breech ring has secured thereto a laterally outwardly extending bracket or operating member 51] which slidably embraces the outer tubular shaft 23 just rearwardly of the support'2l. This operating member serves u'pon recoil of the weapon to abut against the. butter 26" on the comm-24 of the outer tubular shaft 23 and causes the shaft 23 to be moved longitudinally breechwardly. This movement of the shaft 2'3 is transmitted through the cable 41 to. the differential pulley 44. Rotation of the pulley 44 counter..- clockwise exerts force upon the cable '49 and serves to move the hit'ernal'tubular member breechwardly. Since the radius of the "pulley segment 46 is approximately -tv'siice that of the pulley segment 45, 'the internal tubular member 3 Q will be moved ,refarweirdly,.v ajdistance about twic that of the 'exter ai s rtjzi. j Movement of' the tubular shafts 23' and'130' breec'nwardly compresses, or loads the coil"springsflsfan'd11-, wl'ilh'thus store energy.for'returi'ii'ngjtlie'tiibiilar shafts tothe'ir rnitiairpcsitions. As best shown in Figs. 4. and tubular member 23 carries fired thereto inside thehcu'sing orsupport 21 acol1a'r5'l. Thefillustration in Fig. 4 is a View taken "tnroughg'the support from the inside offt'lie sup ort and look.-

in 'ou'twarclly substantiallyjnfthej'line lie-4'01 Fig. 3. 'Therefore, misdirection ortraveiflorfth collar 5'1, as viewed in Fig. 4,willbe'toithe'riglit as the tubular member zemove cliiyardly. Ihe 'co'llar 5! also includes 'a'ca'm followih 'me'ahs in the form of a guide or roller .65. the; ngages Y and follows the groove fonnedb'y"thejcamiplates 5'9 andli'll for a purpose that'willhereinafterfbfee come-apparent. I Each "0 f the "end-wen portions ufrtne'support Fl 'c'arries a buffer *52 againstwhi chfthe 'c Iar may abut as the ramme'r means "irecip-ro'c" "s. Ihese buiiers like those's'hownat 26 and tears preferably composed of "suitable 'sho'ck 'absorbing material such as rubber'orthe lile Therearward end of the support 21 is pibiiidfl withf'a bracket 53 having a bearing on a longitudinal axis for the "mounting of a longitudinal rock'- shaft 54. The breechward portion tif'thesup videdw'it'h a 'suitablebracket 'ttin which the teams. end or a shaft this jam-1a:

operating handle 56 fixedto the extreme rear;

end of the-shaft 54 andserves as means by which.

the shaft may be rocked. As best shownfin which -overrides.lthe latch as the collarinoves breechwardlywitli the tubular'member 23." shown in broken li-nest in Fig-'6, the collar moves pastthe latch Bil-and is .lock'ed against return movement by engagement of the latch withiithe front face of the; co'llar. In this manner the rammer .members'. .23 -and '3'Zf'are locked in .pos'itionagainst-thereturn action of the compressed springs 29 4i. The members may, of course; he released by mana er the shaft '54 through the medium of the operating handle 56.

.As previouslystated, the outer tubular meme her 23 is carried-by the bushings22ln the'h'ous'ing- 2| for sliding movement longitudinally of; for; limited rotation about; its axis. It was also stated that the inner tubular member, although reciproclable with respect to the outer tubular member, is provided with means whereby 'the members may have limited rotational'movement together this. means being the member 3'! with the lugs 39 that cooperate with the longitudinal slots :36 in the member :23. The members are mounted in this fashion so that the 'rammer head 3| with its arm 32 'may be swung about the axis of-the members, 'toVdispose-therammer arm in either of twoipositions. Ino'ne position the rammer arm isdisposed in proximity to the tray i8;

and is thus disposed. to. engage a round of ammunition restinginthe tray. "This lower 'posi tion is indicated in fulllines in Fig. 3. The other position of the rammer arm, 32 is that shown in brokenlinesiin Fig. 3. It willbe-"notedthlat the rammer arm in this position is now swung-upwardly and away from the axis of'the tube-and breech assembly and is therefore in a retracted or round-free position. (The first position of the rammer arm is assumed when the rammer mem bers are moved rearwardly and'the second posi tion of the arm is assumed aiter the rammer' members have moved forwardly and after the round-has been fed into the breech.v The upper position of the arm is also maintained as the rammer member travels rearwardly upon recoil".v This arrangement is desirable'so that th rammer arm is out of t'hepath of an extracted and ejected empty cartridge case. Near the end or its rearward-movement the am 32 swings downr- ,war'dly to .airoundeengaginglposition; l -'It, is an importantsfeature of the present invention to provide means for disposing the ram? mer arm selectively in the aforesaidpositic'ms;v Thepreferred form of the means for accomplishing this purpose is ;il1u'strateclas a camfmea'nsincluding a plate 59 carried by, and serving as the upper cover. of, the support. As'bestshown in Fig. .'1,] the plate 59 is cut out or otherwise -formed to provide a plurality of interconnected grooves orfslots forming a configuration --suitable to rocktherammer members a'sthe members move longitudinally fore-and alt. grooves orpaths are preferably formed intnpiate [59 by an open-'1- ing of desired Tc'onfiguration; into which openingis arranged a central cam member or plate in the form of a n ,island 60 supported in position by a, pair of cross members 6|. The island forms a igenerally quadrilateral plate whose boundaries are parallel t or concentric with, as the case may be, the boundaries of the opening, with the result that the cam plates are provided with a first groove or path 62 extending parallel to the axes of the members 23 and 33 (or in the direction of recoil), a second path 63 connecting with the path 62 and curved generally across the direction of recoil, a third path 64 connected to the end of the path 63and paralleling the first path or groove 62 (or extending in the direction of counterrecoil), anda fourth path 65 extending generally, across the path of counterrecoil and connecting the paths or grooves 62 and G4,

As ibest shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the, collar 5| includes cam following means in the form of a guide or roller, 66 that engages and follows the grooves in the cam plates 59 and 50.- When the rammer members 23 and Share in the positions assumed thereby when. the gun is ready to fire, the roller 65 is atthe extreme .muzzleward end of the longitudinal groove 62 in the cam plates 59 and 50. Upon recoil of the weapon the members move rearwardly, or breechwardl and the roller 66 follows the path .62 and ultimately enters and follows the path 53, thus, rocking the members counterclockwise (as yiewedfrom the 1 rear of the Weapon), w rellmn. the s ng: pressed latch 51. engages the collar di tolatcli the members in position to re eive a round of ammunition. When the opera ng'handle s actuatedto rock the shaft Bfi and release the latch ti o th s r n s 29 a d, .4 It: turns the rammer members in the direction of counterrecoil and the roller Gifollows thepaths 64 and 85, maintaining the rammer arn; 32 sub} stantially in its round-engaging position until the round is delivered into thebreechofthe gun. The path 65 serves to rock the ni e'mbers clock? wise (as viewed from thenrear of the weaipo and thus moves the rammer arm 32 its ra ed or retracted position. V Q

The cam plates, 59 and 60 are shown Eigdl as including means for preventin g accidental es:- cape of the roller 68 into the wrongl rooves and thereby compel the roller 5 6 to mo'v way circuit, in a clockwise direction when viewed in Figure l. This means preferably takes the form of a pair of spring-pressed latches $1 and 58. Thelatch fills pivoted on thelpT ate at one substantially vertical axis at the junction of grooves 53 and 64 and is spring pressd again st a log 89 formed on the plate 53. The latch E'Fi's swung out of position by the roller fa s as it passes from the groove 63 into the grooves? after which the latch engages the lug BEIto preventth 'rdll'er 65 from re-entering the groove 63 cooperates similarly with the stop; on the plate 68 to permit the roller BS from the groove 85 into the groove t2 but to prevent return of the roller from the groove 62 to. the groove 65. t k V i In the operation of the weapon equippedwith the prefer ed embodiment of the rammer disclosed herein, 'a round is loaded into the chamber and the gun is otherwise made. ready for firing At such time, the partswill be in the' positions shown in Fig. 1; that is, the rammer members will be forward, the rammer arm 32 will be in its upper or retracted position, and the springs 29 and 4! will be relatively unstressed. After the gun is fired and recoil occurs, the members 23 and 30 move rearwardlyas bracket 50 engages buffer 26, the internal member '30 traveling 'in' that direction substantially'twice as fast and for a distance substantiall twice as great as the external member 23. This action results from'the previously described distance-multiplying means comprising the differential pulley 44 and cables 4! and 49. The purpose of the distance-multiplying means is to enable the power derived from recoil to propel the rammer head 3! sufiiciently far rearwardly' so that the rammer arm 32 can engage the base of a shell on the tray 48. t It will be obvious that if a direct connection was effected between the breech ring l3 and the ram mer, there would be no relative movement between those parts, and, since the tray I8 is carried by the breech ring 13, there would be no travel of'the rammer head 31 with respect to the tray. In short, it is desirable that the rammer head be propelled to the rear of the breech ring 13 a distance slightly greater than the length of ashell of the type used in the particular gun. At the same time the springs 29 and 4| are compressed or loaded and the members are locked in position by the engagement of the latch 51 with the collar 5! on the shaft 23. The rammer arm 32 also moves downwardly to roundengaging position by means of the operation of the cam means 59-456. The positions of the rear ends of the rammer members 23 and 30 and 0f the rammer arm 32 are illustrated in Fig, 9 wherein there is also illustrated a round of ammunition in the tray l8. As disclosed, ammunition may be manually loaded into the tray I8 although it is contemplated that mechanical loading means may be provided. Further, such mechanical means may be connected for operation with the latch means for releasing the rammer members so that loading, ramming, and firing will be automatic, with provision being made for disconnecting the loading and ramming means for optional semi-automatic operation of the weapon, as set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 635,817, filed December 18, 1945.

When the tube-and-breech assembly has counter-recoiled and returned to battery, the empty cartridge case of the round just fired will have been already extracted and ejected. The operator may, after a shell has been placed in the tray I8, now rock the shaft 54 by means of the operating handle 56 to rel-ease the collar 5lfrom the latch 57. The springs 29 and 4| operate to return the members in the direction of counterrecoil and the rammer member 32 carries along with it the round of ammunition to be fed into the chamber. The roller 66, fOlloWing the grooves 64 and 65 in the cam plate 59, serves to move the rammer arm 32 to its retracted position substantially at the end of the stroke of the rammer means.

It will be appreciated that the action of the "gun in recoil and consequently the action of the 25, 28, 33 and 35 and at their intermediate por- 1310118 by the connecting plate 48 on the difieren ,tial pulley 44, undue vibration is eliminated. U

a e-ans Other elements of the operation and structure of the mechanism just described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It, will be understood, of course, that only a preferred embodimentj'of the, invention has been illustrated and described and that numerous modifications and alterations may be made therein without. departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asv defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecOilaction, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunia tion into the breech, comprising, a, support fixed against recoil and counterrecoila rammer imam ber having at its breechward end means forensgaging a round of ammunitionto be fed into the breech, means mounting said rammer. member on said support for movement intheldirections of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking about itsraxis to swing said round-engaging; means from aretracted position to a round-engaging position, cam means on said support having a ,configura, tion providing a first path generally inthe diree tion-of recoil, a second path generally across the direction of recoil, a third path generally in the direction of counterrecoil and a fourth path gena erally across the path of counterrecoil, means,

operative upon recoil for moving said rammer member according to said first and second pathsof said cam means, releasablemeans for holdingsaid rammer member in position after such. movement, means for releasing said releasablemeans, and means for moving said rammer member according to said third-and fourth paths of said cam means upon release: of said-releasable.

means. r

2. In a gun including a tube-and-breechassembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil 'ac.- tion, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed; against recoil and counterrecoil, a-r-ammer mam-.- ber having at its breechward end means for engaging around-of ammunition to be fed into the breech, means mounting said rammer member on'said support for movement in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking about its, axis to swing said round-engaging means from aretracted position to around-engaging position, cam means onsaidsupporthaving a configuration providing a first path generally in the,

direction of recoil, a second path generally across the direction of recoil, a third path generallyin the direction of counterrecoil and a fourth path generally across the path of counterrecoil, means operative upon recoil for moving said rammer member according to said first; and second paths gaging a round of ammunition to be fed into the breech, means mounting said rammer, member on said support for movement in the direc-.--

tions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rockingabout its axis to swing said round-engaging means from a retracted position to a round-enagaging position, cam means on said support having a configuration providing a firstlpath generally in the direction of recoil, a second path 1,0; generally across the direction, or recoil, a third path nerally nthe. direction. ofcounterr coil and a. fourth path g n rally across thefnathlci counterrecoiLmeans connecting said cam means, and rammer member, and means for moving the rammer member accordingv to said cam means; A- rammer for, a "gun having a tube-andbreech assembly arranged for recoil and counteri recoil, comprising-a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a, rammer member. carriedby said sun ort for reciprocation in the directions 0.1, recoil and counterrecoil. and arranged for rock mg about. its axis v7ith respect to said su port, means, adjacent the breechward end of said ,-ram mer member for engagingafround of ammunition, means connecting said round-engaging means and .saidlrammer for moving said round engaging means .alternatelyl inwardly from a roiindefreeflposition spaced outwardly from the axis of thetube-and breech assembly to a round enga ing, position-near the axis of the: tubaandbreech assembly uponrocking and reverserqdk: inglof. the rammer memben; cam. means including a quadrilateral, cam platelcarried by saidsupport and havingtwo opposed edges running generally in the. directionsof recoil,..and counterrecoil and having its other two opposededges running gen} erally across the directionsof. recoil andcounterrecoil and in the,directions-ofmocking. and..re.- v'erserocking. cf-saidrammer member, means operatively associated-between saidcarn plate and said rammerumember and including a, follower forguidi-ng said rammer member during recipro} cat on androcking; .thereuf,,means for reciprocat ing said rammer member with saidfollowera1- ternately following the aforesaidsfirst, two. edges, meansfo'r rocking. and .re'versely rocking said rammer memberv witnzsaid fzollowerfalternately followingflthe second of the, aforesaidfiedgesg whereby said, rammer. member is. moved .first in the. direction, of v recoil, is then rocked to dispose Said, rQundr engag n -l means in its aforesaid round-engaging?position, is then; moved in the direction ;ofl 0unterrecoi1, and is finallrv rocked reversely toureturn said around-engaging mean-s tcits.aforesaidlrol nd- Positioni 59.11 8 gunifincluding a tube-and-breech ass sembly arrang d for. recoil. and,.;.counterrecoi1 ac;- tinn; a ramm r .Icnlcading r ndsrof ammunition in-tdithe breech comprising a-vsupport .fixed against .recoilandcounterre oilm fir t member carried by saidlsupno'rt for; reciprocation in the ir c cnsni .reccilenfdj counterrecoil, a second memher carried; by said. supportfor recipr c tion inf'the,.dircctionsof recoil and counterrecoil with respect, toisaid, firstmember and support, means for. en a in iioujr'idslofs, ammunition, meanslso constructed ands; ahead for rocking SaidrKQuHd-y n a in means efrom a; retracted position to round engag ing Position, means: connected be tween. the .tube-and-breech, assemblyand said first .membcr 0r moving said firstmember inithe direction. of reccil, -means connected between-said first and second membcr vfor movingsaidse'cond member in the .direjctiorii of .recoil at a sp edand through afldistancelgreatcrthan the-speed di t ncecfsaid firstimembers means conne ting sairliround-lengag ng means, and one of said mem bets, for -mcv,in'g ,s'aidf round-enga ing means to round eng aging position, {means for returning said members the direction cf counterrecoil, andimeans, for returning; said round-engaging meanszto.retractedpositiom V l -6. In a gun including ai-tube-andbreech as! embly arran ed, .fQrr w n i met -i9 1 action, a rammer for 'loadingrounds 'of ammunition into the breech, comprising a Su ort fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first imember arranged parallel to the tube-and -breechassembly and carried by said support for axial reciprocation and for rocking with respect to said suppbrt, a second member carried by said first member for axial reciprocation with respect thereto and for rocking therewith andincluding means for engaging a round, said secondmeniber being initially arranged on its axis so that said roundengagingmeans is disposed in an initial position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-andbreech assembly, means operative upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly for moving said first member axially in the direction of recoil, means operative upon said movement of the first member for moving said second member axially in the direction of recoil a distance greater than that of said first member, means for rocking said members to move said round-engaging means inwardly toward the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round-engaging position, means for returning said members in the direction of counterrecoil, and means for rocking said members to return said round-engaging means to its aforesaid initial position. v

' '7. In a gun including a tube-and-breech as sembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first tubular member arranged parallel to the tube and-breech assembly and carried by said support for axial reciprocation and for rocking with respect to said support, a second member telescoped Within and carried .by said first member for axial reciprocation with respect thereto and for rocking therewith and including'means for engaging a round, the second member being initially arranged on its axis so that said roundengaging means is disposed in an initial position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-andbreech assembly, means operative upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly for moving said first member axially in the direction of recoil, means operative upon saidmovement of said first member for moving said second member axially in the direction of recoil a distance greater than that of said first member, cam means operatively associated between said support and said first member and actuated by axial movement of said first member for rocking said members to move said round-engaging means inwardly toward the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a roundengaging position, means for returning said members in the direction of counterrecoil, and means for rocking said members to return said roundengaging means to its aforesaid initial position.

8. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first member arranged parallel to the tube-and-breech assembly and carried by said support for reciprocation with respect to said support in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil, a second member carried by said support for reciprocation with respect to said support and first member in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking with respect to said support and including means for engaging a round, said second member being initially arranged on its axis of rocking so that said round-engaging means is 12 disposed inan" initial position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tubeand' breech assembly, means operative upon recoil of the tube-and} breech assembly for'moving said first member in the direction of recoil, means operative upon said movement of said first member for moving said second member in th direction of recoil a dis tance greater than that of said first member, means for rocking said second member to move said round-engaging means inwardly toward the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a roundengaging position, means for returning said members in the directionof counterrecoil, and means for rocking said second member toyreturn said round-engaging means to its' aforesaid initial position w j 9. In a gun including a tube-and-breechias-l sembly arranged for recoil" and counterrecoil action, a rammer for-loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprisingasupportfixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a rammer nember having at its breechwardend means forten} gaging a round of ammunition tobefed into the breech, means mounting said rammer memher on said support for movement in the direc tions of recoil and 'counterrecoiland for rotation about its axis' to swing said round engaging means from a retracted'position to arounden'- gaging position, cammeans onsaid support eluding a cam plate having a first grooverunning generally in thedirection of recoil, a second, connecting groove running g'enerally across the direction of recoilfa thirdgrooveconnectedto said second groove and running generallyin the direction of "counterrecoil, and a' fourth groove connecting said third and first grooves and running generally across the direction of counterrecoil, means 'eo'nnetnng said c'aari'i "means and said Tam-merfaember including a member ere, ga pgand" adapted l'to"followsaid grooves in sai "caniplate, andineans for moving said ram m'er member "ac'cordingto 'said cam means. IOIIn'a gun including a tube-and-breechassembly arranged for*recoil"and counterrecoil action, a rammer'for loading roundsof ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoiL'a first tubular member arranged parallel to the tube andbreech assemblyfa'nd carried by said support for reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking with respect to said sup port, a second member telescoped within and carried by said first member for reciprocation with respect thereto'an'd for rocking" therewith and'including means for engaginga round',said second memberbeing initially "arranged on""its axis so' that said round-engaging means is dis po'sed'in an'iriitial position spaced outwardly from the axis of the tube-an'd-breech assembly; cam means on said support including a cam plate having a first groove running generally in the direction of recoil, a second, "connecting groove running generally across the direction of recoil, a third groove connected to said second groove andrunning generally in the direction of cou'n-' terrecoil and a fourth groove connecting said third and first grooves and running generally across the direction of counterrecoil, means conmeeting said cam means and said first tubular member including a" follower engaging said grooves in said campIateQ means operative upon recoil of the tube-and-b'reec'h assembly for moving said first tubular member in the direction of recoil in accordance with said first groove of said cam plate and' for rocking said first and second 1.3 tubular members in accordance with said second groove in said cam plate to move said rqundengaging means from its initial position toa round-engaging position near the axis of the tubeand-breech assembly, means operative upon said movement of said first tubular memberfor-moving said second member in the directionoi recoil a distance greater than that of said gfi-rs't member, and means for moving both-members in the direction of counterrecoil according to said third groove in said cam plate and for rocking said members according to said fourth groovein said cam plate to move said round-engaging means again to its initial position after theround has been loaded.

11. In a gun including a tube-and-breeoh assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a firsttubular member carried by said support forreciprocation along its axis in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking about its axis, a second member telescoped within said first member and carried thereby for reciprocation with respect thereto along its axis in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking with'saidfirst member, a stop on said first member spaced'from said support in the direction of counterrecoil, spring means compressible between said support and said stop and tending to urge said first'memher in the direction of counterrecoil, a stop on said second member spaced from said1stop on said first member in the direction of counterrecoil, spring means compressible between said stops and tending to urge said second member in the 1 direction of counterrecoil, means on the breechward end of said second member for engaging a round of ammunition, said first and second members being initially arranged on their axis of rocking so that said round-engaging means'is disposed in a round-free position spaced generally outwardly from the axis of the tube-andbreech assembly, means operable upon recoil of the tube-and-breech assembly for moving said first member in the direction of recoil and compressing said first spring means, means operable upon movement of said first memberfor moving said second member in the direction of recoil a distance greater than that of said first member, said movement of said second member causing compression of said second spring means, means for rocking said members to move-said round-engaging means inwardly toward the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a roundengaging position, releasable means for holding said members in the aforesaid positions with both spring means compressed, means for releasing said releasable means for return of'said members in the direction of counterrecoil under action or said spring means, and means for rocking said members to move said round-engaging means again to round-free position.

=12. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil ac- *tion, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a supportfixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a ifirst "tubular member carried by said support for reciprocation along its axis in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking about its axis, a second member telescoped within saidfirst mem- -ber and carried thereby for reciprocation with respect thereto along its axis in thedirections of teq i a d oun erre oil and ,.r .1 ne. ther ithisnrih means ttnnttttd it sa d first, mam,- ti t treltrid' firs imt h ttih "the d re ion of tq iet jrt q l th ills me t .QQIk htt 'tq sa d ttt hdim mhe a d at n 'u ee a qhdm hlh n he di e tion of ount rec 'lrmeaht n the t hw trd end, c t tl's t ondmem-ber for engaging a round of ammunition, saidfirst and second members being initially arrtthgttt hfthti axitt th 5? t t d ndn in Intent i j l s t df n a' imd-i eeposi eh s a i' eh rt lly a dl i 'qm h xi of he tu teand h tqh rt tem ly, means o e a upo re gi 9 h *t h -andeb e h a emb y er met he; s id fir m m e n e i-v rett t tetcil nsit e ti sa d fi m ns; me n ope ab u n m e 91" a d fi m me h r hi movin s se on mem n 'ett n ttr te la ist nt ea n that 91 said first member, said movement of said second member causing stressing of said'second spring inea ,gmeans ,for rocking said members to move saidrdund-engaging means inwardly toward'the axis of the tube-and-breech assembly to a round engaging position, releasable means for holding saidmembers in the aforesaid positions with both spring means stressed, means for releasingsaid releasable means for return of said members in the direction of counterrecoilpnder action'bf said spring means, and means for rocking said members to move said round-engaging means in tt..r 'u i e P i on 1,3,. "I n"a gun including a tube-andebreechas t tn ly ar an e f recoil and; t n ecqil e tion, a' rammer for loading rounds of ammunition intcth br ch it p i ax v t' "fi against recoil andcounterrecoil, a first tubular memb ha b S u m t or e erqta ion alon fits' s in he. ir onof r oi nd to n erret il a e d m m r tel h ed it n s id firt 'rh mh r and r ed th e r ip eta i n with res t e e o al n i x in e, ir t n of retoi r d-lt nt r e l; a stench t i first. memb tnate 'f m sa d, sup- Phr i th d rect n Q Lm TB L p n m an m are s hle e n a u o a i s ia d end n to r s i fir member the direction of counterrecoil, stop .on said secand member spaced from said stop on said first member in the direction of counterrecoi1, spri ng meanstem e ibl between d stons ahdte ing to urge said second member in the direction of counterrecoil, means on the "breechward en'd offsa ammunition, means operable upon recoil jof the tubje and breechassembly for moving said first member in the direction of recoil and com ressing said first sprin means, means operable upon movementof Said first member for moving'the second member in the direction of recoil a distance are. tha hat o id fi st m m er, sa d movee mentiof said second member causing comnres sign ofsaid second spring means. releasable means for holding said members in the aforesaid positions with said spring mean compressed, and meansfor releasing said releasable means forree turn of said members in the direction of count-ere recoil under action of said spring means.

14.111, a gun. including a tube-and-breechas' sembly arranged forrecoil andcounterrecoil ace tion', a 'ramm r for loading rounds of ammunie tion intov the breech, comprising a sup ort fixed against recoil andcounterreco-il, a first member.

. cond member r ngia ound .of'

reigns 0nd member, means mounting said second member, on said support for movement with respect thereto generallyin the directions of recoil and counterrecoil, means on said second member for engaging a round of ammunition and ramming itinto the breech, a pair of energy-storing means connected. respectively to'said first and second members and tending toturge said members senerally in the direction of counter-recoil, means forv moving said first member in the direction of recoil and consequently loadinglone or" said energyestoring means, and means operable in response .to said movement of said first memberto move said second memberin the directionof recoil and consequently loading the other of said energy-storing means, .said -members being returned in the direction of counterrecoil by the unloading action oflsaid energy-storing means. .15.. In a. gun including .a.tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil andcounterrecoil action, a rammer for loading roundsof ammuni tion into thebreech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, afirst tubular member carried by. said support for reciprocation breechwardlyand muzzlewardly,-a second memberstelescoped within. said. first member for reciprocationrwith respect to said first member and having its breechwardend extending beyond the breechward end of said first member, round-engaging means connected-to the breechward end of .said. second member, arotatable element carried by said support and positioned intermediate the-ends.of said members, -means-connecting said first-.member and the tube-and-breech assembly for, moving said first member breechwardly upon breechwardly so that the breechward end of said second member travels farther than the breech- Ward end of said first member, and means for returning said members muzzlewardly.

16. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil H action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first member carried by said support for reciprocation breechwardly and muzzleward-ly, a second member carried by said support for reciprocation with respect to said first membena rotatable element carried bysaid support, means connecting said first member and the tube-andbreech assembly for moving said first member breechwardly upon ,recoil of thetube andmreech assembly, means connecting saidfirstmember and said, rotatable element for rotating said rotatable element upon breech- ,vardmovement of said first member, and means including distance-multiplying mechanism connecting said rotatable element and, said second member for moving said second member breech- Wardly so that the breechward end of saidsecond member travels farther than the breechward end of said first member, and means for returning said members muzzlewardly.

1'7, In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first member carried said support for reciprocation; breech wardly and muzzle vardly, a second rnember carried by said support for reciprocation with respect to said first member, a rotatable element carried by said support, means connecting said first member and; the tube-and-breech assembly for moving said first member breechwardly, meansconnecting said first member and said rotatable element for rotating said rammer element upon breechward movement of said first member, means including distance-multiplying mechanism connecting, said rotatable element and said second member for moving said second member breechwardly so that the breechward end ofsaid second member travels farther than the breech ward end of said first member, and means for moving said second member muzzlewardly, whereby said second member. acts through said connecting meansand rammer elementtomove saidfirstmember muz'zlewardly' 18. In 'a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer forloading rounds ofammuni: tion into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and, counterrecoil, a first member carried by said support for reciprocation breechwardly and muzzlewardly,.a second member carried bysaid support forreciprocation with respect to said first member, a rotatable element carried by, said support, means connecting said first member and the tube-and-breech assembly for moving saidfirst member breechwardly upon recoil of thetubeand-breech assembly, means connecting said first member and said rotatable element for rotating said rotatable element upon breechward movement of said first member, means including distance-multiplying mechanism connectingsaid rammer element and said second member for moving said second member breechwardly so that the breechward end of said second member travels farther than the breechward end of said first member, and energy-storing means connected to one of said members and loaded upon breechward movement of said members for reacting to move said members muzzlewardly.

19. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, a first tubular member carried by said support for reciprocation breechwardly and muzzlewardly, a second member telescoped Within said first member for reciprocation with respect to said first member and having its breechward end extending beyond the breechward end of said first member, roundengaging means connected to the breechward end of said second member, a rotatable element carried by said support and positioned intermediate the ends of said members, means connecting said first member and the tube-and-breech assembly for moving said first member breechwardly, means connecting the breechward end of said first member and said rotatable element for rotating said rotatable element upon breechward movement of said first member, and means ineluding distance-multiplying mechanism connecting said rotatable element and the muzzle- Ward end of said second member for moving said second member breechwardly so that the breechvvard end of said second member travels farther than the breechward end of said first member, energy-storing means connected to the muzzleward end of said second member adapted to be 75 }oaded upon breechward movement of said second member, said energy-storing means reacting through said second member, said connecting means and said rotatable element to return said members muzzlewardly.

20. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoilaction, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, first and second members carried by said support intermediate their ends and arranged for relative reciprocation breechwardly and muzzlewardly, said second member extending at its breechward end beyond the breechward end of said first member, means at the breechward end of said second member for engaging and feeding rounds of ammunition into the breech upon muzzleward movement of said second member, a rotatable element carried by said support and including a pair of jointly rotatable pulley segments, one of which has an effective radius greater than that of the other, a flexible connecting element attached at one end to the breechward end of said first member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the pulley segment of shorter radius, a second flexible connecting element attached at one end to the muzzleward end of said second member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the other pulley segment, an abutment on said first member muzzlewardly of said support, first yieldable means compressible between said abutment and said support, an abutment on said second member adjacent its muzzleward end, second yieldable means compressible between said abutments, and means for moving said first member breechwardly whereby said flexible connecting elements and pulley segments act to cause the breechward travel of said second member to be greater than that of said first member and to load said first and second yieldable means for reaction to return said members muzzlewardly.

21. In a gun including a tube-and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, first and second members carried by said support and arranged for relative reciprocation breechwardly and muzzlewardly, means at the breechward end of said second member for engaging and feeding rounds of ammunition into the breech upon muzzleward movement of said second member, a rotatable element carried by said support and including a pair of jointly rotatable pulley segments, one of which has an efiective radius greater than that of the other, a flexible connecting element attached at one end to said first member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the pulley segment of shorter radius, a second flexible connecting element attached at one end to said second member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the other pulley segment, first yieldable means between said first member and said support and adapted to be loaded upon breechward movement of said first member, second yieldable means between said first and second members and adapted to be loaded upon breechward movement of said first member, and means for moving said firstmemberbreechwardlywhereby saidflexible connecting elements and pulley segments act to cause breechward travel of said second member to be greater than that of said first member and to load said first and second yieldable means for reaction to return said mem bers muzzlewardly.

22. In a gun including a tube-and-breech'assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoilfaction, a rammer for loading rounds of ammunition into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, first and second members carried by said support and arranged for relative reciprocation breechwardly and muzzlewardly, means at the breechward end of said second member forengaging and feeding rounds of, ammunition into the breech upon muzzleward movement of said second Inember,,a rotatable differential pulley carried by saidsupport, a'flexible connecting element attached at one end to said first member and having its other end portion trained about and connected to said pulley, a second flexible connecting element attached at one end to said second member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to a I pulley portion of greater effective radius, and means for moving the first member breechwardly whereby said flexible connecting elements and pulley act to cause breechward travel of said second member to be greater than that of said first member and to load said first and second yieldable means for reaction to return said members muzzlewardly.

23. In a gun including a tube-.and-breech assembly arranged for recoil and counterrecoil action, a. rammer for loading rounds of ammuni-.

tion into the breech, comprising a support fixed against recoil and counterrecoil, first and second members carried by said support intermediate their ends and arranged for relative reciprocation in the directions of recoil and counterrecoil and for rocking together with respect to said support, said second member extending at its breechward end beyond the breechward end of said first member, means at the breechward end of said second member for engaging and feeding rounds of ammunition into the breech upon movement of said second member in the direction of counterrecoil, cam means on said support including a cam plate having a first groove running generally in the direction of recoil, a second, connecting groove running generally across the direction of recoil, a third groove connected to said second groove and running generally in the direction of counterrecoil, and a fourth groove connecting said third and first grooves and running generally across the, direction of counterrecoil, means connecting said cam means and said first member including a follower engaging and adapted to follow said grooves in said cam plate, ,a rotatable element carried by said support and including a pair of jointly rotatable pulley segments, one of which has an effective radius greater than that of the other, a flexible connecting element ,attached at one end to the breechward end of said first member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the pulle segment of shorter radius, a second flexible connecting element attached at one end to the muzzleward end of said second member and having its other end portion trained about and attached to the other pulley segment, an abutment on said first member muzzleward of the support, first yieldable means compressible between said abutment and said support, an,

abutment on said second member adjacent its muzzleward end, second yieldable meanscompressible between said abutments, and means for moving said members in the direction of recoil accordin t0 said first and second grooves said ii? cam means whereby said flexible connecting 1e'-' ments and pulley segments act to cause travel of said second. member in the direction of recoil to be greater than that of said first member and to load said first and Second yieldable means for reaction to return said members in the direction of counterrecoil according to said third and fourthgrooves of said. cam means.

SIGMUND SCHIFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 280247 PA'IEENTS Nafile' Date Lehmann Sept-14", 1909 Schneider Dec. 2; 1924 Conicn Oct. 12, 1926 Dabrasky May 24, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Italy Dec. 3', 1930 Great Britain Oct. 1, 1930 Great Britain Sept. 7, 1933 Great Britain May 31', 1937 

